Vista/nVidia/Dreamscene/Blu-ray problem

Dear fellow members,
First, and foremost - yes I am a newbie and taken some time to try and resolve my own issues without trying to fob them off, but I have failed. I have read the message about posting information, and although at work and pc is at home I will endeavour to try and furnish the relevant details.
I would only consider myself average in the knowledge stakes of pc's. I understand how to follow instructions, but would never consider myself an analyst capable of modifying programmes in anyway.
So what is the problem. I have a relatively new pc, details below, that until last week I hadn't put completely to the test. I have a blu-ray reader/writer to play blu-ray DVD's on but only purchased a screen capable of HDCP last week, and that is when all the issues started. The system basics are :-

Windows Vista Ultimate x64 Service pack 2
Asus P6T Deluxe Motherboard
Core i7 940 processor
Asus GTX285 Graphics Card with very latest drivers
Asus Xonar D2X Sound Card
Pioneer Blu-ray Writer
Benq 2200HD Monitor
PowerDVD 7.3 Blu-ray Player
Asus Gamer OSD installed
Asus AI Suite installed

Everything was rosy until I installed the PowerDVD to play a movie. It asked me to update which I did then it gave me an error message that dreamscene had been changed, although I had no dreamscene playing in the background at the time. The player came up with an error message that when I followed instructions from Cyberlink didn't go away. I decided to uninstall the player, and it took out the registry in some form for both of my disc drives as they no longer showed up in My Computer. I only knew of one solution which was to reinstall Vista, and probably a lot of you out there are now holding your heads, but I did.
All went well with new installation, all latest drivers, and Vista updates reinstalled and tried Powerdvd again - same problem. Dreamscene has changed, and an error code from player (I think it was 8004014, or something close). I then thought I would uninstall the graphics card drivers and try to reinstall them after player. When I did I noticed for the first time that Windows Updates hadn't offered me the Service Pack 2 Update nor any of the Dreamscene Contents Packs (My Windows cd is Service Pack 1). However on uninstalling the Graphics card they all suddenly appeared so I installed them again. After reinstalling graphics, and Powerdvd I still had the same issues as originally had. No use uninstalling as it takes out disc drives so went into Bios to change start up priority and did a clean install of Windows Vista after formatting drive. Totally clean install ? Well I think so, or as near as I know how. I then reinstalled all the drivers for the system as supplied except the graphics card which I downloaded from nVidia. I religously installed each and every Windows update individually in chronological order when it asked me, and it did not show me the Service Pack 2 update, nor did it offer me the Dreamscene Contents Packs 2/3/4. It did offer me the Dreamscene download and it comes with the 1 background option.
I don't know if this book I am writing should be posted in here, but it seems to be general to me, and the question is how do I watch blu-ray movies, on a Vista Service Pack 2 OS, with all the extras such as Dreamscene I should have after spending the monies on a system that is not the highest of specs, but well up there - I think. Jeez not written that much in a long while.

Regards

Hi toenheel,

First of all, download and place onto removeable media a copy of SP2 so that you can install it from there. If you reinstall your OS again, you can install SP2 from that media.
Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465)

Now to your main problem. What version of PowerDVD are you using? The latest is version 9 PowerDVD 9 DVD Player Software Watch DVDs and Blu-ray Discs on your PC | CyberLink

Hello. Thanks. I downloaded my SP2 from there last time when it never appeared in the Update, and will do so again but save it instead this time as you suggest. The fact that Windows Update doesn't give me the option is what was worrying me - why didn't it, and what else is it hiding from me ?
The version of PowerDVD is 7.3. It is not a purchased copy but in a bundle that came with the pc probably on a disc entitled HD Solution. The full package description is here. It is supposed to be purpose built for the job . CyberLink Blu-ray Disc Solution

Sorry. Pressed enter too quickly. What I meant to add was that although it may not be the most up todate version the package is purpose built for the job. Nothing on the Cyberlink website helps with the issue, and the fact that I have missing updates like Dreamscene Packs, and SP2 - which appear when I uninstall nVidia drivers - with the added complication of the "Dreamscene background has been changed" with quick Black screen popping up has confused me so much I don't know what the problem is anymore.
I had planned one more install this evening. Booting straight from Vista CD with another format of hard drive beforehand. Then reinstall without latest Nvidia drivers to see if that sorts out the Windows Update issue so I can have the dreamscene content I have paid for. Then install the Nvidia drivers, and see if anything happens to my dreamscene. Finally install the Powerdvd - all of this done before I hasten to add, but failed. If the Powerdvd doesn't work then I will spend more money on the upgrade, and hope it works. I just didn't want to spend more money when what I have in theory should work. Even a Cyberlink BD Solution programme that tests your system said it was ok - in all aspects. It just isn't. View ?

Hi toenheel,

Good luck with the reinstall. The first thing that I would do after installing Vista would be to install SP2 (it's the nearest you can get to having it install with your OS). Next, install your motherboard drivers (you haven't stated your System Specs, so I can't help you with this). Next, install your graphics driver, reboot and run the WEI again.
Create a System Restore point so that you can revert your system should things go wrong. Try PowerDVD again, although I have a feeling that this is the problem - your version, although it should support BluRay, is an old version and may be buggy in its support. Hopefully, these issues will have been addressed in the latest version.
Again, create a System Restore point and then try DreamScene.

Sorry for being dumb, but on the system specs what would you like to know, and what is WEI ?

Hi toenheel,

System Specs - your motherboard and graphics card.

WEI - http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/220105-windows-experience-index-update-refresh-score.html

I have just updated my system specs. Doubt there is a problem there. Thankyou for the interest and I will do it the way you have suggested cos my way didn't work. My WEI has always been 5.9 - never anything other than that except on a reinstall before I press the button, and so the system should be. There are a few details to add to my specs but can't remember them off the top of my head so will edit them more later. Is there anything there that should be a concern ?

Well last night I followed Dwarf's instructions to the letter, and no surprise I guess, but he is right. With a completely clean SP2 OS, and the Cyberlink I still have the same problem. This time because I did not download any Dreamscene the warning is that my background is changing to windows basic, and an error code shows on the PowerDVD (ERROR CODE 8004014, or something close). I have vented my spleen at Cyberlink in an e-mail, after having followed their instructions/downloads/updates to the letter and still no joy. Buying a newer version is probably the easiest thing to do however no faith in Cyberlink that it would work then so will browse the net for info on players that do work.
ps. took a while to get this far last night, and haven't yet checked if Vista is offering me the complete set of Dreamscene Packs so I might be back too ask why, or how I can find them. Seems they aren't readily available to download seperately from Microsoft which is fair since Ultimate owners have paid money for them.

Hi toenheel,

Here is an alternative WinDVD 9 Plus (you will need the Plus version).

Thanks Dwarf,
I have posted another long update/request in the software section now in the hope another bright spark may be able to help. Also going to rummage around in Cyberlink's forum for help tonight. If all of that fails then WinDVD it is as Cyberlink won't be getting any more cash. Thanks again, and following your install method made more sense last night when I was doing it.

Y u must buy it...